Whether you are parenting your first child or your sixth, you probably experience some anxiety when your baby starts teething. Teething can be a painful process, and it can keep you and your baby up at night. Here are some helpful facts and tips that may help you better understand the teething process and help your entire family get through it.

Quick Teething Facts

●  Teething typically begins at age 6 to 8 months, but this can vary from child to child.

●  The first teeth to come in are usually the two bottom front teeth.

●  The next teeth to come in are the two top front teeth.

●  By the time the child is around 30 months old, all 20 baby teeth should be in.

What do babies do when they are Teething?

As parents of multiple children know, all babies are unique. That includes how they react to the teething process. Some babies seem to feel the discomfort of those little teeth cutting their way through their gums more than other babies. Here are some reactions you can look for when you think your child is going through the teething process:

●  Excessive drooling.

●  Crankiness.

●  Gum swelling.

●  Refusal to eat.

●  Unable to sleep.

●  Biting down or chewing on hard objects.

Although some parents believe that teething causes fever or diarrhea, research shows that this isn't likely. If your child has a fever or diarrhea, you can talk to your doctor.

How to Provide Teething Relief

If your child shows the classic symptoms of teething, at least you know that the crying and sleeplessness have a cause. It won't last forever, and there are ways to give your baby some relief. Take a deep breath, and read through this list of tips. You'll feel better knowing that you can do something to help your child get through this tough time.

●  Discourage a rash from forming by gently wiping away your baby's drool from their face.

●  Use a clean finger to rub your baby's sore gums. The gentle pressure can help make it feel better.

●  Once the teeth break through, you may want to switch to using a cold, clean washcloth to rub your child's gums.

●  If your child is eating solids, try feeding yogurt or applesauce, which are cool and soft.

●  Some babies like to chew on their bottles. If that helps, keep the bottle filled with water, which is a liquid that won't cause tooth decay.

●  Teething rings are great! Choose a firm rubber teething ring, not one that is filled with water. You can chill the teething ring to make it cold, but don't freeze it.

If these tips don't seem to be doing enough to relieve the pain, you can try the following over-the-counter medications:

●  Children's acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).

●  Children's ibuprofen.

Although over-the-counter topical medications may sound tempting, they are not very useful because anything applied to your baby's gums is going to wash out in a few minutes anyway.

When to take your Child to the Dentist

At Distinctive Dental Care, we see patients of all ages, including the youngest ages when their teeth are first coming in. It is an excellent idea to get your child to the dentist at an early age. This way, the dentist can examine your child's mouth and ensure everything is looking the way it is supposed to look. You can get some more helpful information and tips about taking care of your baby's new teeth. Also, when your child goes to the dentist regularly from a young age, they will become accustomed to seeing the dentist and will probably not feel dental anxiety at a later age.

If you have questions about your child's teeth, or you want to make an appointment for your child at our Bloomington, Minnesota office, please contact us. It is our pleasure to help parents in the Twin Cities area feel better about their baby's new teeth.